Hawaii trip

A rental car is a must-have for any Hawaiian vacation! But it's so complicated, from booking to insurance and parking fees. So, here's a quick article. Here are some tips to help you avoid all the mistakes that can happen with rental cars and reduce unnecessary waste of money.I tried it.

Before reading this article, it would be easier to understand if you watched the video for first-time travelers to Hawaii.

👉 Check out the Hawaii rental car travel information video

1. Should I reserve a rental car in Korea or locally?

It is much cheaper and safer to reserve a rental car in advance in Korea.

• Recommended reservation platforms
  • ✔️ Rentalcars.com, ✔️ Expedia, ✔️ Hotwire
  • ✅ Korean language support available, and you can check the 'amount including tax and insurance'

• Things to check when making a reservation
  • Vehicle pickup location (whether airport pickup is available)
  • Resort Fee, Child Seat Option
  • Whether or not the Deductible Waiver (CDW) is included

📍 Especially during peak season, if you don't make a reservation in advance, the price will increase several times. Advance reservation is required!

2. Is it necessary to have insurance?

It is essential to understand the structure of US rental car insurance.

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Waiver of liability for vehicle damage ➡️ Mandatory!
• SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance): Third-party damage coverage
• LIS (Liability Insurance Supplement): In the United States ‘Since 'liability insurance' is basically lacking, it is very important to subscribe to LIS.do.

📍 If an accident occurs without insurance in Hawaii, you may face personal expenses exceeding thousands of dollars, so be careful.

✅ 하와이에서 렌터카로 운전해보는 거, 모든 운전자들의 로망이죠. 
👉 하지만, 렌터카 보험 말고도 🔎하와이 여행 필수 꿀팁도 반드시 알고 하와이 여행하세요!

3. How to Avoid Hawaii Parking Fee Bombs

Most accommodations in Hawaii charge separate parking fees, so be sure to It is important to make an accurate rental car use plan.do.

• Average parking fees at resorts
  • Waikiki Hotel Standard $30-$50 / 1 night

• List of free or cheap parking lots :
  • Ala Moana Shopping Center (free to use during business hours (generally 10:00-20:00))
  • International Market Place
    • (When paying at a store/restaurant for $10 or more, 1 hour of free parking / After 1 hour, the standard rate of $2 per hour for up to 4 hours, and $2 per 20 minutes after 4 hours is applied)
  • Ward Village (there are over 2,600 parking spaces within the village, most of which are free for use by stores or facilities)

• Free public parking recommended by locals
  • Near Kapi'olani Regional Park
  • Near the Diamond Head trailhead

4. Tips for Traveling with Children

• Car seat regulations
  • Hawaii requires children under 4 years old to use car seats.
  • Booster seats are required for children under 8 years old.
  • Available for rent from rental car companies for a fee ($10-15/day)
• Consider trunk size
  • For families with strollers and lots of luggage, we recommend an SUV.
  • Popular models include Nissan's Rogue and Hyundai's Tucson (larger and more comfortable with the Korean patch).

5. Precautions for local driving

• Be sure to check the signal when making a right turn!
  • In the United States, right turns are generally allowed even on red lights, but “No Turn on Red” Prohibited if there is a sign
  • ‘Always stop at a 'STOP' sign
• Strictly enforce the speed limit
  • Especially near schools (School Zone) less than 25 miles during daytime
• Hawaii has strict traffic laws.
  • Violations such as using a cell phone or turning left in a no-left zone will result in an immediate fine.
• fuel policy
  • Full-to-Full is the norm ➡️ Be sure to visit a gas station to refill before returning

6. Comparison information by rental car company

company	merit	disadvantage
Hertz	Easy airport pick-up	The price is somewhat expensive
Alamo	Variety of family vehicles	Popular models sell out quickly
Turo	Local private car sharing platform	Separate insurance is required
Enterprise	Variety of insurance options	Inconvenience of moving to the prosecutor's office outside the airport

📌 Conclusion

In Hawaii, a rental car isn't just a means of transportation; it's a key factor in determining your travel satisfaction. I hope everyone who reads this blog will be able to book a rental car economically without any mistakes. More travel tips I've collected will follow in the next post.

🎬 하와이 여행 영상 보기

(EP 1) 하와이 여행 가기 전, 이것 모르면 "벌금 폭탄" 맞습니다 | 40대 아저씨의 하와이 필수 조언
(EP 2) 하와이 가족여행 고민될 때 꼭 보세요 🌺 7박 가성비 숙소 리얼 후기

🔻Good articles to read together🔻

• 📍 5 Essential Hawaii Travel Tips for First-Timers

• 📚 5 Must-Experiences for Your 2025 Hawaii Vacation

Is this your first time traveling to Hawaii? It's American soil, but if you thought, "Since it's a world-class tourist destination, it must be as free as Southeast Asia," you might be mistaken. For first-time travelers to Hawaii, here's some essential information. If only I'd known this beforehand... Let's get started.

1. Required items for ESTA approval

하와이는 미국 영토에 속해있습니다. 그래서 🔎ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) approval is requiredYou must complete your application at least 72 hours prior to departure. Some people forget to apply the day before they go to the airport, but if it's not approved, you won't be able to board your flight. Be sure to check!

📌Please also check the following items!

• 110V converter adapter (required as the voltage is different from that of Korea)
  • View multi-adapters that can be used anywhere in the world
• Pocket Wi-Fi or local SIM (recently, many people use E-SIM instead of purchasing a separate SIM card.)

👉하와이 E-Usim 가격 확인하러 가기

• International Driving Permit + Domestic Driver's License
  • 🔎국제 운전면허증은 따로 신청해야 하며 일주일 정도 소요되니 미리 신청하세요!

• Prepare a copy of your passport and a photo ID (to replace it in case of loss)

2. Rental car? Public transportation? Choose the one that suits your travel style!

Hawaii is truly vast, and each region has its own unique charm. Many licensed drivers dream of renting a car and exploring freely, but with so many coin-operated parking lots, it's essential to have change on hand!

And using a smartphone while driving is strictly prohibited (and in the US, the fines are hefty). Renting a car is not cheap, and even if you rent a car and park at a hotel, you'll incur additional parking fees, so I highly recommend calculating your rental costs carefully.

If the rental car cost or If you are worried about driving in an unfamiliar foreign country, there are other alternatives.There is also.

• Waikiki Trolley (tourist attraction loop bus)
• Biki (unmanned shared bicycle)
• Lyft/Uber (cheaper than a taxi)
• HUI (shared vehicle platform)

✅ 하와이에서 렌터카 여행은 모든 운전자들의 로망이죠?
👉렌터카 이용 전, 🔎초보 여행자를 위한 하와이 자동차여행 꿀팁 글을 꼭 읽고 일정에 도움이 받으세요!

3. When making a hotel reservation, it is essential to check the 'resort fee' and additional costs.

Most Hawaiian hotels charge an additional fee called a "resort fee."This is a bit of a stretch. Even if the difference doesn't seem significant at first, you'll often be surprised to find that the final payment is significantly larger than you expected. Before booking a hotel, be sure to check the following:Please do so.

✅ Resort Fee, Included?

✅ Parking fees apply separately (when using a rental car)

✅ Availability of Ocean View Upgrade (Ocean View is best for leaving a trace)

📌 리조트 피 없는 하와이 가성비 호텔 영상으로 확인하세요.
👉 Watch a video about budget-friendly hotels in Hawaii (Airbnb)

4. Book activities in advance!

Popular activities in Hawaii often fill up at least 2-4 weeks in advance.There are many, especially if you are traveling as a couple or as a family. We recommend booking in advance.

• Kualoa Ranch ATV or UTV
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour
• Be sure to book surfing lessons and other activities in advance.

📌 For your information, ATVs are for one person, so they are difficult and dusty. UTVs are comfortable and safe because they can seat 4 people and have a roof!

👉 클룩(Klook)으로 하와이 액티비티 Check

5. Enjoy shopping and free cultural experiences at 200%!

Hawaii is a shopping paradise, offering American brands and duty-free shopping. Brands like Coach, Polo, and Lacoste are available at much lower prices than in Korea. Waikele Premium Outlets is almost a must-seeno see.

But! It's a shame to only shop! In Hawaii, you can also experience traditional culture for free.

• Hula & Fire show at Kuhio Beach
• Hula Show at Ala Moana Center

Finishing Tip✈️

Hawaii isn't just a simple vacation destination; it's a multi-faceted travel destination offering nature, culture, adventure, relaxation, and shopping. For first-time visitors, I'm confident that simply following the five points I've mentioned will ensure a fulfilling and satisfying trip without any inconveniences.

If you need information about traveling to Hawaii, Check out the Hawaii episode of my channel travel videoPlease do it.

🔻Good articles to read together🔻

• 🏠 Hawaii Road Trip Tips for Beginners | From Parking to Insurance

• 📚 5 Essential Hawaii Travel Tips for First-Timers

The biggest concern when traveling to the US, Tipping culturecast 20 years of experienceI learned from him. 17-day family trip to Hawaii/USA I experienced it firsthand during No tip calculation mistakes How to do it in 10 secondsclass Budget-friendly dining tips to save moneyis now released.

How to Calculate Tips When Traveling in the US

 

I'm traveling the world with my teenage son. We decided to visit the United States and Hawaii, and the biggest concern was actually the financial aspect. Since I have to pay for every meal, I couldn't help but be concerned about tipping.

미국에서 여행하는 17일 동안 비싼 물가와 팁 속에서 어떻게 절약하며 여행했고 팁을 줘야 하는 식당에서는 어떻게 팁을 계산해야 하는지를 정리 해보려고 한다.

1. Restaurants in the US where tipping is required

 

If you've ever eaten at a restaurant in the United States, you probably know that tipping is a must. That's because tipping is the primary source of income for those providing service.

So if you don't tip,‘I think it means that you are very dissatisfied with your service.‘' is done.

Restaurants in Hawaii and the US where tipping is required Includes all restaurants that come to each table with a menu, take orders, and serve food.Yes. Usually, in these restaurants, you have to tip between 15% and 25%, and the choice is up to the customer.

The restaurant above is the breakfast restaurant of a hotel I stayed at in Portland, Oregon. In South Korea, tipping is not required when eating breakfast included in a hotel restaurant, but in the United States, it's different.

Although I was aware of American tipping culture, I had no idea that tipping was even required at hotel breakfast restaurants. This is likely to be a confusing prospect for Koreans traveling to the US for the first time.

In American restaurants, you can pay by card and choose to tip, but here, I didn't have to pay separately, so I finished eating. Most people leave a tip of about $5 in cash on the table.It was.

2. Restaurants where you don't have to tip

 

but, There are also tip-free restaurants in the US.Here it is. First of all, it is a fast food restaurant that you are all familiar with.

For example, most restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and IN & OUT have customers come in and order, and when it is their turn, they have to take their own food and clean up after they finish eating.

I've often wondered if this difference in tipping might be one of the reasons Americans flock to fast-food restaurants so often. It seems clear that tips make up a significant portion of their economy.

In these cases, restaurants are free from tipping. You pay at the place where you pay. Tip BoxHowever, in my case, I have never received exceptionally good service or felt friendly at these fast food restaurants, so I have never tipped.

The photo above is a very famous restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is Marugame Udon. In this restaurant, customers have to stand in line to order, get their food, sit at a table, and even clean up after themselves.

A restaurant that is not only delicious but also reasonably priced so you don't have to spend money on tipping.That's why I ate at this restaurant once a day.

🎬 Hawaii No-Tipping Restaurant VideoWatch with 👉 https://youtu.be/KOYcGgp0abU?si=NcQ78kApAtwr8TJa

3. A reasonable way to calculate tips

 

When traveling in the United States, you can't always eat at restaurants where tipping isn't required.

Sometimes we need to have a meal or a drink at a nice restaurant or a pub with an American feel, and that's when we ‘How can I tip appropriately without offending the other person?‘I start to think about it.

I heard some very sensible advice from my brother, who has lived in the US for 20 years and currently lives in San Francisco with his family, and it was so clear that I wanted to share it with other confused travelers to the US like me.

• Choose one of 15%, 18%, or 25%

When paying by card, you're usually given a choice of one of the percentages listed above. Deciding which one to choose can be daunting, but the choice is surprisingly simple.

First, I tell them If you received satisfactory service or felt the service was very friendly, you can choose the 18% tip line. However, in all other cases, you can choose the 15% tip line without hesitation.You can do it.

• (Food price + service charge / tax) 15%? Is this correct?

Koreans vaguely know that in the US, a tip is supposed to be around 10-15%.

However, it is a very sensitive issue for the giver to tip 15%, which is the price including service charge and tax, and to tip 15%, which is the price of the food.

And most restaurants only offer the 15%, 18%, and 25%, which naturally include service charge and tax.

For those who don't know much, they will choose 15% and 18% without any resistance and also don't know which one is the problem.

However, according to my younger brother who has lived in the US for 20 years, ‘'Paying 15%, the price of the meal excluding service charge and tax, is the most reasonable, and there is no problem calculating and paying the tip that way.'’He says confidently.

In most cases, Users can also input their own tips without selecting the three preset tips%.. So, you can calculate the exact price of the food (15%) and add the service charge, tax, etc. to pay the tip.

It wasn't a problem at all, even though my brother and I continued to pay like that while traveling in the US.

Example) If $150 (food price) + $30 (service/tax), then $150 x 0.15 = $22.5 Add $150 (food price) + $30 (service/tax) + $22.5 (tip 15%) to pay $202.5You can do it.

Know the exact calculation method and give tips

 

You can choose one of the three preset tip options and give a comfortable tip. Perhaps you can even give more than 25% to receive the best service without resorting to the complicated calculations above.

However, the reason why I shared the calculation method above is It means that you should know and give tips even if you give too much.am.

I'm writing this because I don't know how much I should tip or what an appropriate tip level is, and I hope that people don't give tips without knowing that the restaurant has already calculated the tip with tax added to it.

🎬 Watch Hawaii videosdo

(EP 1) Hawaii Travel: Don't Know This or You'll Be "Finally Fined" 👉 https://youtu.be/xTUTZREQYA0?si=1pv4OlKWoThbLX6R
(EP 2) Hawaii Family Trip 🌺 7-Night Budget-Friendly Accommodation 👉 https://youtu.be/um4m0b8JlgM?si=u8NHM4ipFlHvA5A0

🔻Good articles to read together🔻

• 📚 2025 US Car Rental Travel Costs Included | San Francisco Airport to Seattle (1,300km)

• 📌 If it's your first time in San Francisco, this is a must-see. will do 5 Travel Tips (with Video)

• ✅ Seattle Family Trip Essentials: 5 Must-See Spots Recommended by a Dad in His 40s

It's been 140 days since we began our world tour. We're currently waiting at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for our flight to Tokyo, Japan via Korea. It's the end of our 17-day trip to the United States. 5 Must-See Places in HawaiiI chose it.

Must-Experience Things to Do in Hawaii

 

Hawaii in the United States is a place called the 'dream travel destination' that is most loved by travelers from all over the world.

I spent a lot of time and money to come to Hawaii, but this is what I got. There is nothing more regrettable than not experiencing everything a fantastic destination has to offer.

So, based on my experience in Hawaii, I'd like to recommend five must-do experiences. I hope this will be helpful to you as you travel to Hawaii.

Hawaii If you are traveling for the first time, here are some must-know tips to help you.This is it.

🎬 Check it out in the video!

1. Drive east

 

When I think back to the famous car commercials from my childhood, there's always one place that comes to mind: Hawaii. While most of Hawaii's tourist accommodations are concentrated around Waikiki Beach, eastern Hawaii is relatively unvisited.

This place is Famous for its fantastic views and beaches, this is a must-visit place when traveling to Hawaii.am.

If you're traveling to Hawaii, I highly recommend renting a car and driving along the stunning east coast. Driving along America's wide roads and enjoying the beautiful beaches is an experience you'll want to pay a fortune for.

It's a well-known fact that driving along a beautiful coastal road with a loved one is a fantastic experience. However, it is notorious for its high prices. underRenting a car in Waikiki can also be a burden.

🔎[Hawaii Road Trip Tips for Beginners | From Parking to Insurance Go see the article. For those people, we introduce a reasonably priced rental car application.

• Turo

TuroIt is a method of renting a vehicle that you own and paying for it.

So, you can use the vehicles more cheaply and economically (about half the price of a regular rental car company) than the vehicles of a regular rental car company, and you can get more accurate information because you can check reviews of the vehicles that have been used.

• Hui (HUI)

🔎Hui (HUI)It is easy to think of it as a car sharing service that allows you to share vehicles, like Socar or Green Car in our country.

While most rental car companies only allow you to rent for one night, the Hui app allows you to rent by the hour, making it more reasonable and economical.

2. Enjoy Waikiki Beach

 

Waikiki Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited during my world travels. When you're gazing at the beautiful waves and breathtaking sunsets, you lose track of time.

But, if you haven't spent a Saturday at Waikiki Beach, you haven't really enjoyed it. It's the most crowded place. The road in front of Waikiki Beach is filled with food trucks and flea markets on Saturday afternoons.

It is a must-see attraction that you can't miss as you experience various souvenirs and foods that can only be found in Hawaii, and before you know it, it will be late at night. We highly recommend that you experience it.

3. Iyasume Musubi

 

There is a representative food that Hawaiians enjoy the most: musubi.

It is a simple dish that can be eaten by placing thinly sliced spam on top of white rice and topping it with eggs or various other toppings to suit your taste., Musubi can be found easily anywhere in Hawaii.

As with any food or restaurant, there are restaurants that specialize in making this musubi delicious. I'd like to introduce a famous musubi restaurant where I ate almost every day during my seven-day stay.

Right 📍Iyasume MusubiBased on my experience of eating musubi in many places, I can confidently say that this is the place with the most delicious musubi, as it is not salty, the rice grains are just the right amount of stickiness, and are not too sticky.

4. Ala Moana Center

 

Ala Moana Center is the largest shopping center in Honolulu, Hawaii. It boasts a unique Hawaiian atmosphere, featuring everything from high-end luxury brands to delicious restaurants and food courts, as well as traditional Hawaiian performances.

Although not a tall building, Ala Moana Shopping Center, which creates a different atmosphere on each floor, is located quite a distance from Waikiki Beach, the most popular tourist destination.

However, it operates in Honolulu, Hawaii. Because you can go straight to the front by taking the pink trolleyIt is also advantageous in terms of accessibility.

5. Enjoy the trolley ride

 

What if you don't have an international driver's license? Or are you a traveler afraid of accidents in expensive Hawaii and unable to drive? There's a way to freely explore the vast island of Hawaii without a rental car: the trolley.

Trolley in Hawaii Shuttle buses that travel throughout HonoluluThere's the Blue Line, which offers sightseeing along the eastern coast; the Red Line, which explores Hawaii's history and heritage sites; and the Pink Line, which circles around major shopping malls and hotels in Hawaii.

The trolley offers the advantage of freedom of movement without the need for a rental car. The trolley is a mode of transportation that makes you question, "Is it really worth spending so much money to rent a car?".

If you want to know the detailed amount and each line route Waikiki Trolley HomepageYou can check the details through .

Honest review of independent travel in Hawaii

 

Hawaii is one of the most popular travel destinations, beloved by travelers from around the world. Indeed, with its beautiful Waikiki Beach, the Eastern Drive, delicious food, and ambiance, it's clear that it deserves the title of "the ultimate travel destination.".

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, I recommend deciding right now if any of the experiences I mentioned above are part of your travel happiness.

On your last day back to Korea from Hawaii, I'm sure you'll be facing me, sad to leave and desperately wishing you could go back to the first day of your trip.

🔻Good articles to read together🔻

• 🚕 Hawaii Road Trip Tips for Beginners | From Parking to Insurance

• 📍 5 Essential Hawaii Travel Tips for First-Timers